Sunday 24 October 2010

Lauder Legacy

Aerin Lauder would hate the term Park Avenue Princess, but that's what she is: The granddaughter of the legendary Estée Lauder, founder of the half-century-old $3.5 billion global cosmetics empire, and daughter of Ronald Lauder, the 57-year-old chairman of Clinique and former United States ambassador to Austria.

The long, thin, swan's neck supports a finely sculptured head. The patrician features, regal chin, confident glare and radiant complexion scream Park Avenue. The tall, cigarette-thin figure, emphasized by four-inch stiletto heels, is suggestive of a typical svelte Park Avenue Princess.

But, she is unassuming, unpretentious, very real. Very down to earth. There isn't a trace of arrogance or hauteur about her and it's not an accident. She has been raised to despise arrogance, even as a pose. One of a new breed of trust-fund tycoons - who actually work although they're born wealthy - she had the beauty business in her blood.


In her 20s, sporting Manolo Blahniks with Michael Kors or Oscar de la Renta wherever she went, she was regularly featured on magazine best-dressed lists alongside Hollywood stars and rock divas.

Now, at 30, Aerin is director of creative marketing of Estée Lauder, a senior executive in the family business. She brings her grandmother's implacable zeal and - at least as important - her instinct, to duties that include trawling Paris and Milan for next season's fashion and color trends.

"When people ask me, 'Why do you work?' I find that almost rude," she says. "Everybody has to work. You've got to work hard at whatever you do. You've got to do something that stimulates your mind, otherwise life becomes very petty and you have too much time to worry about nonsense. Even if you don't work in an office and you want to be at home with your children, then work at something you think is important. Do something!"

As well as her demanding business schedule, Aerin also has a dizzying social life. She is regularly featured in Avenue, Quest, W and Vogue as a guest at this garden party or that. In 1996, she married her college-days sweetheart, investment banker Eric Zinterhofer, son of a New Jersey pathologist, in a Hamptons wedding. They have one son.

Pictures via Harper's Bazaar

13 comments:

Tuesdai Noelle said...

Hey Fe :)

Good article and fashion ......I like the point about jobs/working that she makes at the end. True.

Have a fab day.

Oh my Dior! said...

I didn't know about her thank you for the information great blog!!

http://www.ohmydior.org/

its simple love said...

I love the quote about work. It's so true! You have to work and work hard to stimulate the mind or else life does become petty. Although work is interpreted differently to everyone. The stay at home mom can work just as hard as the business woman. It's what you put into it right?

Rachael

INTRO TO MY LIFE said...

i also like this post, its nice to see people who loves what the do.
xx,
nek

Anonymous said...

great article! and wow, she seems so nice and 'real'!

Anonymous said...

hola! I departed for a while, but returned toy! you have a beautiful day!

chantelle said...

i love, love, love this post! she seems like such a fantastic girl, and all her quotes are so inspiring :) thanks for posting, fé. . . enjoy your weekend!
x

Sab said...

Have I said lately that love your blog?

btw, 92 followers!?

:) You're amazing!

Tamanna A. Shaikh said...

Impressed. Quite a woman this, totally justifing the Lauders and Estee Lauder! Good showcasing her, Fe!

Robyn said...

I agree with her about working! Even if you have to stay home due to kids or illness, everyone has to have something to throw themselves into. Otherwise our lives start to feel meaningless. It's good to make a difference, whatever that difference may be!

Robyn
ChiChiSaysRobyn.blogspot.com

Vera said...

i like this! she's inspiring :) what a gorgeous girl, inside and out.

julianne. said...

ohh that second dress is so beautiful.
i love these! <3

Susan said...

thank you for your sweet comment on my last post, darling. I just wanted to let you know that it means a lot to me.
wish you a beautiful Easter celebration.
xoxo